Bit of HiStory
By Pat Jollota
Hawaiian History in the Pacific Northwest
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The recent volcanic eruptions and subsequent tragedies in Hawaii are all the more poignant to many Clark County residents because of the special historic relationship between Vancouver and the Islands. Our namesake, George Vancouver, was with Captain Cook at the first European contact with the Hawaiians. Vancouver returned to the Islands many times, especially to Kauai where he enjoyed a close friendship with King Kaumuali’i. Cook, Vancouver, and other British explorers were fascinated by Hawaii, and the indigenous people they found there. Hawaiians had needed skills. They were superb navigators, traveling not only by the stars, but by wave patterns, smells and by observing sea birds. Plus, they could cook. These skills were much needed on the mainland, and eventually the King of Hawaii agreed to send workers from Hawaii to Fort Vancouver as paid laborers. Over 500 Hawaiians, all men but one, initially arrived here to work. The local Chinook women must have been delighted. They had to find husbands outside of their own tribes, and here were dozens of strong, handsome continued on next page
Above: Kaulehelehe (also known as Kanaka William) and his wife, Mary. Right: Sketch of the Kanaka Village in the 1850s, attributed to George Gibbs. Page 11: Portrait of Kane Naukane, who settled near Fort Vancouver, painted by Paul Kane.
Photos courtesy of Pat Jallota
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Vancouver Family Magazine • www.vancouverfamilymagazine.com • August 2018